News Release

Houston, July 10, 2017 —The University of Houston System has entered into a partnership with Chartwells Higher Education that will result in a strategic transformation of its dining services. The move promises to strongly appeal to current and prospective students, alumni, visitors, faculty and staff.

The UH System Board of Regents approved the new agreement May 18. Chartwells assumed management of Dining Services at the University of Houston, University of Houston-Downtown, University of Houston-Clear Lake, University of Houston Sugar Land and University of Houston-Victoria July 1.

Key highlights of the new program include:

an expansion of the residential dining program at the University of Houston to include 24/7 access to guests along with innovative culinary, operational and sustainability programs;

improved use of technology, including adding a leading mobile pre-ordering and payment app, a live video feed that will show lines at key locations in real time, loyalty programs, and a dining services app to check menus, view nutritional information, provide feedback, purchase meal plans and make requests on new products or services;

a deeper commitment to a sustainable partnership between the UH System and Chartwells, which involves increased local sourcing of food from Texas, purchasing sustainable seafood through a collaboration with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program, serving only fresh fluid milk and fresh yogurt from cows that have been certified to be free of the artificial growth hormones rBGH/rBST, and offering only Humane Farm Animal Care certified cage-free shell eggs;

continuing to offer national and local brands, including Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Einstein Bros. Bagels and Taco Cabana, and continuing the long-standing partnership with the Houston food truck community.

Chartwells is responsible for hiring management and hourly associates, and all dining associates currently on campus have been invited and encouraged to attend dedicated recruiting sessions to assist in a seamless transition of employment. Opportunities for student employment will continue to be a priority and all positions will be posted to the Chartwells career website altogethergreat.com.

Key Highlights by Location:

University of Houston - expansion of residential dining program to include access to fresh food options to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

University of Houston-Clear Lake - Enhancement of retail dining venues to include a "We Proudly Serve" Starbucks and food trucks in anticipation of the construction of new residence halls.

University of Houston-Downtown - Evolution of dining with a Smart Market vending kiosk and renovations in summer 2018 to include a new coffee shop and convenience market.

University of Houston Sugar Land - Brazos Hall will now feature a "We Proudly Serve" Starbucks.

University of Houston-Victoria - Partnering with the University in preparation for the new Student Center & Learning Commons opening fall 2018 that will include a coffee shop, full service grill and regional Mexican food chain.